When I am working with clients there is usually a certain degree of uneasiness they feel with the camera.  Most people are not accustomed to having their photo taken by a professional. They know they want to give their best expressions and form to the camera, but they are not always certain how to accomplish this.   This is where I step in as a coach, to skillfully position them in a way that captures their best features.      

Generally speaking, however, this uneasiness does not exist with couples in love.  Couples in love often display a relative comfort with the camera, as was the case with Megan and Andrew – a young couple I recently photographed in Virginia Beach.

When it came time for the photo shoot, we met at Sandbridge, which is a popular, local beach.  First, we took some shots on the fishing pier where I directed them to walk towards the camera.  As they did, I realized within minutes that they were going to be naturals.  Most engagement sessions are planned to a certain degree, but the goal is to have them appear somewhat unscripted.  As Andrew and Megan walked towards my camera they were obviously comfortable, and intuitively engaged the camera.

From here, we took a handful of shots in the dunes and nearby beach signs.  I made sure to get a few shots of the couple kissing beyond a sign that read, “PLEASE KEEP OFF DUNES.”  After all, what is young love without a bit of rule-breaking?

In fact, that romantic notion of two people, each captivated by the other and willing to take on the world together, is what impresses me most about photographing couples in love.  During other types of photo shoots one of my creative goals is to have my subjects appear to be center stage.  I love going to a busy public park or crowded cityscape and then to capture a client in a way that implies, “Yeah, I know there is a whole world around me, but I OWN it.”

The thing with romance, though, is that I don’t have to work to convince these two people that they own the world — they already believe they do.

There is an undeniable power and energy that comes from passion.  As a culture, we are fascinated with it.  It is, in fact, a pervasive theme in much of popular art — from movies to books to music — and yes, even photography.

This undeniable energy was clear, again, with Megan and Andrew, as we moved underneath the fishing pier to take additional photos.  As I was adjusting the settings on my camera, they were mostly oblivious to me.  They instinctively played in the waves.  They splashed, kissed, chased, held hands, laughed, and inevitably ended in an embrace.  There was an obvious contentment that each possessed being near the other.  They did not care that other beach goers were watching, nor did they care that the bottom of their jeans were becoming soaked, nor that the heat was borderline stifling.  They also didn’t mind much that I was a firsthand witness to their interaction.  In fact, they welcomed having those moments captured, which, in my opinion is another mark of a couple in love — that is, a sense of security that leads to courage or boldness.  Truly, love in all its forms, empowers us to feel unashamed and willing to be our radically unique selves.

Love also empowers us to take chances and moves us beyond our areas of comfort.  During the photo shoot, it became clear that Megan and Andrew were mostly comfortable engaging each other or else just smiling for the camera.  At one point I asked if they would, instead, either look toward or away from the camera with more serious expressions. The result is one of my favorite photos from the shoot.  The combination of the evening sun, along with the use of my portrait lens and their expressions created a lovely photograph.  I think they look like tee-shirt models in a magazine spread.

While this is among my favorite shots from the experience, I am also elated with how many other images turned out, which is a testament to this couple in love.  Megan and Andrew allowed me the privilege of capturing this special time in their lives and I hope these photos will be a constant and lifelong reminder of their affection for one another.

More photos from this shoot can be seen at McLeod House Studios on Facebook.

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I came across this fantastic article that I think many of you will find interesting.  In a world of diets, cleanses and de-tox remedies, this one seems easy enough for anyone to do and stick to.  We have to ‘re-start’ our bodies in order for it function at its peak.  It’s that simple!

You’ve probably heard that Americans are “addicted” to food. That may seem like hyperbole, but is it?

“If these [processed and unhealthy] foods weren’t addictive, you wouldn’t have a hard time not eating them,” says David Jack, a weight loss coach and director of Teamworks Fitness in Acton, MA. “By sheer design, [the addiction] is real. Once you get caught in that loop, it’s hard to break it.”

The solution? “Spring cleaning,” he says. “We do it for our cars, for our bedrooms. How much more important are our bodies?”

You can get your body back in order, feel better, and enjoy food more with a cleanse—but not the type that’s built around pills and shakes.

The real goal of cleaning up your diet should be “to get back in touch with how your body actually works, and how it should work,” says Jennifer Ventrelle, RD, lifestyle program director at Rush University Prevention Center in Chicago.

Use these tips and guidelines from Ventrelle and Jack to get your body (and your diet) back to a natural state with a safe, sane, and healthy cleanse. Then use our 1-week clean-out guide to feel better, regain an appreciation for nutritious food, and get (and stay) healthier.

Clean Up Your Nutrition
“If you expect to lose weight and feel better, start with things you’re going to do forever,” she says. Add more fruits and vegetables to your diet, and swap in leaner proteins before going for all-out drastic cuts. “Once you have those things in line, then you can cut X, Y or Z for 3 days or 3 weeks.”

What Foods to Clean Out (and How to Replace ‘Em)
So what are those X’s and Z’s to clean out for days or weeks?

Start with caffeine and sugar substitutes. “They give you a synthetic surge of energy, and it’s not sustainable,” Ventrelle says. It doesn’t fit with your natural body function. Cut these stimulants out.

Next, cut back on (or eliminate) dairy, says Jack. Even if you don’t think you are lactose intolerant, you may experience some of its symptoms and not realize it. “You can use this time as a screen to see if certain foods make you feel gassy, jittery, or lethargic,” he says. “You may find that certain foods aren’t really the best foods for you.” (Search: Find hidden allergens in foods.)

The dairy group, of course, is a great source of calcium, vitamin D, and protein. During this cleanse time, Ventrelle says, consider swapping milk for almond milk that’s been fortified with calcium, or eat plain yogurt. The live cultures “have already digested the lactose,” she says.

Protein is missing from many cleanses, leaving users nutrient-deficient and, worse, hungry. “That’s one reason some people can’t stick to them,” Ventrelle says. If you’re planning to cut animal protein—which is harder for your body to process and digest—be sure to include other sources of this key nutrient. Ventrelle suggests edamame, nuts, and seeds. Jack suggests fish, which provides lean protein along with disease-fighting fatty acids that can keep you full.

The final cut: processed foods, especially refined (read, white) carbs. Your liver has to work harder to separate the processed from the unprocessed, says Ventrelle, so cutting back on refined foods gives your system a break. As with dairy, cutting carbs may help you find mild intolerances, Ventrelle says. Even if you don’t have a full-blown allergy, cutting wheat, rye, oat, and barley products may help you find out that gluten doesn’t leave you feeling your best. During your cleanse, substitute whole grains and starches that don’t include gluten: Quinoa, brown rice, millet, and sweet potatoes all qualify.

Great article!  I hope you all enjoyed it and if any of you have a cleanse or de-tox program that you’d like to share, please write!

In health,
EAH